WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. One of the fun features of WhatsApp is the ability to send stickers during chats. Stickers allow users to express emotions and reactions quickly and easily.
With so many sticker packs available to download, many WhatsApp users have wondered if there’s a limit to how many stickers you can have. Is there a cap on the number of stickers you can collect? Or can you have unlimited stickers in WhatsApp?
WhatsApp sticker basics
Before addressing the specifics around sticker limits, it helps to understand how WhatsApp stickers work:
- Stickers are organized into “packs” that can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Each sticker pack typically contains around 12-30 individual sticker images.
- Once a sticker pack is downloaded, it will appear in the user’s sticker tray within WhatsApp.
- Users can then quickly access and send those stickers during chats without having to re-download them.
So the more sticker packs you download, the more stickers you’ll have at your disposal within WhatsApp.
Is there a limit for the number of sticker packs?
The main limit around WhatsApp stickers relates to the number of sticker packs you can download, rather than the total number of individual stickers.
Currently, each WhatsApp user can download a maximum of 40 sticker packs. With most packs containing at least 12 stickers, 40 packs would result in around 500+ stickers available.
WhatsApp has not publicly shared the reasoning behind limiting users to 40 sticker packs. However, some possible explanations are:
- Managing app performance – Having a limit prevents issues that could arise from users downloading an extremely high number of sticker packs.
- Encouraging curation – The limit motivates users to carefully choose the sticker packs that are most useful/relevant for them.
- Reserving capacity – Limiting sticker packs ensures there is space for new sticker releases and prevents sticker overload.
What happens if you reach the 40 pack limit?
If you already have 40 sticker packs downloaded, you’ll need to remove an existing pack before being able to download a new one.
When you try to download a new pack over the 40 pack limit, WhatsApp will prompt you to remove another pack first. You can then browse your current packs and tap the delete icon to remove one before proceeding.
One workaround is to back up your existing stickers to another app, delete some packs to free up space, then download new packs as desired. You can later re-download the deleted packs and restore them from the backup.
Is there a limit for individual stickers?
In addition to the 40 pack limit, there are some other WhatsApp sticker limits to be aware of:
- File size limit – Each individual sticker must be 100KB or less.
- Dimensions – Stickers must be 512 x 512 pixels.
- Animation – Video stickers are limited to 3 seconds max.
However, there is no definitive limit to the total number of stickers that can be saved or how many you can send during chats.
For example, if you max out your 40 sticker packs, you could have around 800 total stickers. And you are free to send an unlimited number of them in your conversations.
Stickers are treated similarly to emojis or text messages when it comes to quantity. The only limiting factor is reaching the 40 pack maximum.
Tips for optimizing your sticker collection
To make the most of your 40 pack sticker limit on WhatsApp, keep these tips in mind:
- Review stickers before downloading – Check pack contents before downloading so you don’t end up with duplicates or undesirable stickers.
- Remove unused packs – Delete packs you no longer use to free up space for new stickers.
- Back up stickers – Use another messaging app to create backups of packs you want to save before removing from WhatsApp.
- Use stickers sparingly – Be selective in sending stickers to avoid hitting WhatsApp’s daily usage limit.
- Create your own pack – Use the WhatsApp sticker maker to bundle your favorite images into a custom pack.
Third-party apps for extra stickers
If you want sticker options beyond WhatsApp’s default and reach the 40 pack limit, third-party apps provide additional solutions:
- Sticker Maker – Create personalized sticker packs from photos.
- Sticker Maker Studio – Make custom stickers and add to WhatsApp.
- WAStickerApps – Discover new community-created stickers.
- Stickerly – Access a huge library of stickers to use.
These apps let you bypass the WhatsApp pack limit since they don’t integrate directly with WhatsApp’s sticker database. However, you’ll need to save and send stickers through the third-party apps rather than directly within WhatsApp.
WhatsApp Web sticker options
In addition to apps, WhatsApp Web provides a way to use extra stickers beyond the mobile app limits. When using Web, you can:
- Install free browser extensions that give access to more stickers.
- Search and send stickers directly on the web without downloading packs.
- Drag and drop image files to send as stickers.
Stickers sent through WhatsApp Web will also sync and be available on mobile. So Web can serve as an easy access point for collecting stickers beyond the 40 pack restriction.
Could WhatsApp increase the sticker pack limit?
While 40 sticker packs is the current limit, there’s a possibility WhatsApp could decide to increase this limit in the future.
A few reasons WhatsApp might consider expanding the sticker pack allowance:
- Popularity of stickers continues to grow.
- Users want access to more diverse and personalized stickers.
- Advancements in storage capacity and performance make higher limits more feasible.
WhatsApp has continued optimizing stickers and added features like custom stickers over time. So if demand and usage keep increasing, we may see the pack limit go up at some point.
Comparison of sticker limits across messaging apps
WhatsApp is not the only messaging app that has sticker limits in place. Here’s a comparison of some popular messaging apps and their current sticker pack limits:
| Messaging App | Sticker Pack Limit |
|---|---|
| 40 packs | |
| Telegram | No definitive limit |
| Line | No limit |
| Facebook Messenger | No limit |
| No limit | |
| Snapchat | No limit |
As this table shows, WhatsApp is one of the only major messaging platforms that restricts the number of sticker packs. Most other apps allow users unlimited stickers.
WhatsApp’s limit may be intentionally conservative compared to competitors. But there is room for them to expand the limit further if users demand more sticker flexibility.
Workarounds for iOS keyboard sticker limits
One other limit relevant to WhatsApp stickers applies specifically to iPhones. The iOS keyboard allows you to add certain apps’ stickers above the keyboard for quick access.
However, there is a limit of only 4 sticker apps that can be added. So while you may have 40+ sticker packs in WhatsApp, only 4 will show as keyboard options.
A couple tips for managing the iOS keyboard sticker limit:
- Add your most-used sticker packs to the keyboard for priority access.
- Rotate different stickers into the keyboard slots over time.
- Use the recently used stickers tray to quickly re-send recent stickers.
Although limited to 4 sticker apps, the iOS keyboard integration still provides easy sticker access during chats. And the 40 pack WhatsApp limit gives you plenty of stickers to choose from.
Frequently asked questions
How many stickers total does the 40 pack limit allow?
With most sticker packs containing around 12-30 stickers, 40 packs would generally provide between 500-800 total stickers.
What happens if I reach the sticker limit? Can I buy more?
Once you reach 40 sticker packs, you won’t be able to add more unless you delete existing packs first. There is no option to purchase extra slots.
Is there a limit on sending stickers in chats?
You can send an unlimited number of stickers in WhatsApp chats. The only limit is on the number of sticker packs you can have downloaded.
Can I get more stickers through WhatsApp Web?
Yes, WhatsApp Web provides increased sticker flexibility. You can send stickers without adding packs or upload your own sticker images.
Will WhatsApp add more sticker slots in the future?
WhatsApp may consider increasing the pack limit if sticker usage continues growing. But they have not yet announced plans to modify the current limit.
Conclusion
WhatsApp currently limits users to 40 downloaded sticker packs as a way to manage app performance and prevent sticker overload. While you can only have 40 packs, this provides access to 500-800 total stickers.
If you reach the limit, you’ll need to delete existing packs to make room for new ones. WhatsApp is unlikely to increase the limit unless sticker usage grows substantially. But alternative options like third-party apps and WhatsApp Web give you ways to access and send more stickers beyond the 40 pack constraint.
With the proper management of your packs and usage of supplemental sources, you can enjoy an extensive sticker collection and express yourself creatively on WhatsApp regardless of any limits in place.